Banknote recognition apparatus and banknote recognition method

ABSTRACT

A banknote recognition apparatus ( 220 ) for recognizing a type of a banknote includes: a detection unit configured to detect the banknote to be recognized; an evaluation-value calculation unit ( 30 ) configured to calculate each evaluation value of the banknote, by using one evaluation-value-calculation-formula set composed of a combination of a plurality of predetermined evaluation-value calculation formulae, based on a detection result obtained by the detection unit; and a recognition unit ( 32 ) for recognizing the type of the banknote, by using a plurality of predetermined threshold values respectively corresponding to each type of banknote, based on each evaluation value of the banknote calculated by the evaluation-value calculation unit ( 30 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a banknote recognition apparatus and abanknote recognition method, respectively provided for recognizing atype, such as the denomination, authenticity, fitness, new or oldprinted version or the like, of a banknote.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, various kinds of banknote handling machines, eachincluding the banknote recognition apparatus adapted for recognizingeach type, such as a denomination, authenticity, fitness, new or oldprinted version and the like, of a banknote, are known.

For instance, JP3653556B discloses the banknote recognition apparatusthat can accurately recognize whether or not each banknote to berecognized is a counterfeit one. In addition, JP9-245215A teaches amethod for recognizing the authenticity of each banknote, by firstdetermining the transport direction of each banknote to be recognized,and then comparing a waveform pattern of the banknote detected by asensor, with only the waveform pattern of a reference banknotecorresponding to the same transport direction. In this way, thisbanknote recognition method, based on the transport (or insertion)direction of each banknote, can substantially reduce the time requiredfor recognizing the authenticity of each banknote. Further, JP11-351962Adiscloses an optical density detector adapted for detecting a density ofa print on each banknote, thereby recognizing the authenticity,denomination and the like of the banknote, based on the level of theprint density. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,693 reports a banknoteevaluation apparatus adapted for first recognizing the denomination ofeach banknote, and then calculating evaluation values, such as opticaltransparency, magnetic data and the like, for the banknote recognizedabout the denomination thereof, thereby recognizing the authenticity ofthe banknote, by using a plurality of threshold values, respectivelycorresponding to only a combination of the denomination and transportdirection of the banknote to be recognized, for each calculatedevaluation value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the conventional banknote recognition apparatus, as disclosed in theU.S. Pat. No. 2,635,994, each evaluation value, such as the opticaltransparency, magnetic data or the like, of each banknote, has beencalculated, by using only one evaluation-value-calculation formula,irrespectively of presence of many kinds of types, such as thedenomination and the like, of the banknote. Further, only one thresholdvalue has been set for recognizing the authenticity and/or fitness ofeach banknote.

In such a conventional banknote recognition apparatus, each banknote tobe recognized is first detected by a detection sensor, such as a linesensor or the like, and then the denomination, authenticity or the likeof the banknote is recognized, based on the detection result obtained bythe detection sensor. In this case, each evaluation value (e.g., theevaluation value related to the optical transparency, magnetic data orthe like) of each banknote is calculated, by using the sameevaluation-value-calculation formula, regardless of presence ofdifference in the denomination, direction or the like between therespective banknotes. Further, for each calculated evaluation value, theonly one threshold value is prepared and used for recognizing theauthenticity of each banknote.

Namely, in this banknote recognition apparatus, irrespectively of thepresence of difference in the denomination and the like between therespective banknotes, each evaluation value of each banknote iscalculated, by using the same evaluation-value-calculation formula, andthe only one threshold value is used for recognizing the authenticityand the like of the banknote. Therefore, it is true that the timerequired for each calculation or operation for recognizing theauthenticity and/or fitness of each banknote can be considerablyreduced. However, such a banknote recognition apparatus may tend toprovide rather deteriorated accuracy of the recognition for eachbanknote.

On the other hand, as to a relatively new type of the banknoterecognition apparatus, as disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No.5,790,693, the evaluation-value-calculation formula and threshold valuecorresponding to this formula are respectively prepared, in advance, foreach detection element related to the recognition about the authenticityof each banknote, for each denomination of the banknote. In this case,for each banknote to be recognized, the detection is first performed byusing a proper detection sensor, such as an optical sensor or the like,and then the denomination of the banknote is recognized, based on thedetection result obtained by the detection sensor. During thisrecognition, pattern verification, for checking whether or not eachbanknote to be recognized is matched with a certain reference pattern,is performed for all of the denominations of the banknotes. Thereafter,for each banknote already recognized about the denomination thereof,each evaluation value, such as the optical transparency, magnetic dataand the like, of the banknote is calculated, by using theevaluation-value-calculation formula corresponding to the denomination.Finally, for each calculated evaluation value, the authenticity of eachbanknote is recognized, by using the threshold value corresponding tothe denomination of the banknote.

In this banknote recognition apparatus of the relatively new type, eachevaluation value is calculated by using the evaluation-value-calculationformula corresponding to each denomination of the banknotes. Therefore,the accuracy of the recognition of the denomination and authenticity ofeach banknote can be substantially improved. However, in this banknoterecognition apparatus, there is a need for performing the patternverification for checking whether or not each banknote to be recognizedis matched with the certain reference pattern, for all of thedenominations of the banknotes, during the recognition about thedenomination of each banknote. Further, this pattern verificationrequires the use of all evaluation-value-calculation formulaerespectively different, corresponding to each denomination. Therefore,it takes so much time for performing the calculation or operationrequired for the recognition of each banknote.

The present invention was made in light of the above problems.Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide the banknoterecognition apparatus and banknote recognition method, which cansignificantly enhance the accuracy of the recognition about thedenomination, authenticity, fitness, new or old printed version and thelike of each banknote as well as can substantially reduce the timerequired for the calculation and/or operation for performing suchrecognition.

The banknote recognition apparatus of the present invention is adaptedfor recognizing a type of a banknote, the banknote recognition apparatusincluding: a detection unit configured to detect the banknote to berecognized; an evaluation-value calculation unit configured to calculateeach evaluation value of the banknote, by using oneevaluation-value-calculation-formula set composed of a combination of aplurality of predetermined evaluation-value calculation formulae, basedon a detection result obtained by the detection unit; and a recognitionunit for recognizing the type of the banknote, by using predeterminedthreshold values for each type of banknote, respectively correspondingto the plurality of evaluation-value calculation formulae, based on eachevaluation value of the banknote calculated by the evaluation-valuecalculation unit.

In this banknote recognition apparatus, it is preferred that the type ofthe banknote includes at least one of the denomination of the banknote,authenticity of the banknote, fitness of the banknote and new or oldprinted version of the banknote. It is also preferred that the detectionunit is configured to detect at least one of the thickness, size,optical transparency, optical reflectivity and magnetic data of thebanknote, and the evaluation-value calculation unit is configured tocalculate the evaluation value related to at least one of the thickness,size, optical transparency, optical reflectivity and magnetic data ofthe banknote.

Another aspect of the banknote recognition apparatus of the presentinvention is adapted for recognizing a first type and a second type of abanknote, the banknote recognition apparatus including: a detection unitconfigured to detect the banknote to be recognized; an evaluation-valuecalculation unit configured to calculate each evaluation value of thebanknote, by using one evaluation-value-calculation-formula set composedof a combination of a plurality of predetermined evaluation-valuecalculation formulae, based on a detection result obtained by thedetection unit; and a recognition unit for recognizing the first type ofthe banknote, by using predetermined threshold values for each firsttype of banknote, respectively corresponding to the plurality ofevaluation-value calculation formulae, as well as configured torecognize the second type of the banknote, by using predeterminedthreshold values for each second type of banknote, respectivelycorresponding to the plurality of evaluation-value calculation formulae,based on each evaluation value of the banknote calculated by theevaluation-value calculation unit.

In this aspect of the banknote recognition apparatus, it is preferredthat the first type of the banknote is the denomination of the banknote,and the second type of the banknote includes at least one of theauthenticity of the banknote, fitness of the banknote and new or oldprinted version of the banknote. It is also preferred that the detectionunit is configured to detect at least one of the thickness, size,optical transparency, optical reflectivity and magnetic data of thebanknote, and the evaluation-value calculation unit is configured tocalculate the evaluation value related to at least one of the thickness,size, optical transparency, optical reflectivity and magnetic data ofthe banknote.

It is also preferred that the recognition unit performs recognizing thefirst type of the banknote and recognizing the second type of thebanknote in parallel.

The banknote recognition method of the present invention is provided forrecognizing a type of a banknote, the method including: preparing oneevaluation-value-calculation-formula set composed of a combination of aplurality of evaluation-value-calculation formulae, as well as preparingthreshold values for each type of banknote, respectively correspondingto the plurality of evaluation-value-calculation formulae; detecting thebanknote to be recognized; calculating each evaluation value of thebanknote, by using the prepared one evaluation-value-calculation-formulaset, based on a detection result of the banknote; and recognizing thetype of the banknote, by using the threshold values prepared for eachtype of banknote, respectively corresponding to the plurality ofevaluation-value-calculation formulae, based on each evaluation value ofthe banknote.

In this banknote recognition method, it is preferred that the type ofthe banknote includes at least one of the denomination of the banknote,authenticity of the banknote, fitness of the banknote and new or oldprinted version of the banknote. It is also preferred that at least oneof the thickness, size, optical transparency, optical reflectivity andmagnetic data of the banknote is detected during the detection of thebanknote to be recognized, and the evaluation value related to at leastone of the thickness, size, optical transparency, optical reflectivityand magnetic data of the banknote is calculated during the calculationof the evaluation value of the banknote.

Another aspect of the banknote recognition method of the presentinvention is provided for recognizing a first type and a second type ofa banknote, the method including: preparing oneevaluation-value-calculation-formula set composed of a combination of aplurality of evaluation-value-calculation formulae, as well as preparingthreshold values for each first type of banknote, respectivelycorresponding to the plurality of evaluation-value calculation formulae,and threshold values for each second type of banknote, respectivelycorresponding to the plurality of evaluation-value calculation formulae;detecting the banknote to be recognized; calculating each evaluationvalue of the banknote, by using the prepared oneevaluation-value-calculation-formula set, based on a detection result ofthe banknote; recognizing the first type of the banknote, by using thethreshold values prepared for each first type of banknote, respectivelycorresponding to the plurality of evaluation-value-calculation formulae,based on each evaluation value of the banknote; and recognizing thesecond type of the banknote, by using the threshold values prepared foreach second type of banknote, respectively corresponding to theplurality of evaluation-value-calculation formulae, based on eachevaluation value of the banknote.

In this aspect of the banknote recognition method, it is preferred thatthe first type of the banknote is the denomination of the banknote, andthe second type of the banknote includes at least one of theauthenticity of the banknote, fitness of the banknote and new or oldprinted version of the banknote. It is also preferred that at least oneof the thickness, size, optical transparency, optical reflectivity andmagnetic data of the banknote is detected during the detection of thebanknote to be recognized, and the evaluation value related to at leastone of the thickness, size, optical transparency, optical reflectivityand magnetic data of the banknote is calculated during the calculationof the evaluation value of the banknote.

It is also preferred that recognizing the first type of the banknote andrecognizing the second type of the banknote are performed in parallel.

According to the banknote recognition apparatus and banknote recognitionmethod as described above, the only oneevaluation-value-calculation-formula set is used for each denominationof the banknote, commonly, for calculating each evaluation value of eachbanknote, as compared with the prior art configured for calculating eachevaluation value of each banknote, by using all of theevaluation-value-calculation formulae, corresponding to each of thedenomination or the like, of the banknote. Therefore, in the case ofusing the banknote recognition apparatus and banknote recognition methodof this invention, it is necessary to perform the calculation oroperation, only once, for recognizing each type, such as thedenomination, authenticity or the like, of each banknote. This cansignificantly reduce the time required for the calculation. In addition,the plurality of threshold values respectively set for the calculationformulae of the one evaluation-value-calculation-formula set,corresponding to the respective types, such as the denomination and thelike, of each banknote, are used for recognizing such types of thebanknote. Therefore, as compared with the case of using only onethreshold value, regardless of the presence of difference in thedenomination or the like between the respective banknotes, the banknoterecognition apparatus and banknote recognition method of this inventioncan enhance, securely and significantly, the accuracy in the recognitionfor each type, such as the denomination, authenticity or the like, ofeach banknote.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of abanknote handling machine related to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing internal construction of thebanknote handling machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3( a) is a schematic side view showing detailed construction of abanknote recognition apparatus provided in the banknote handling machineshown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3( b) is a schematic top view of the banknoterecognition apparatus shown in FIG. 3( a).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing each component of the banknoterecognition apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart related to the banknote recognition apparatusshown in FIG. 3, the timing chart illustrating, in a time series, foreach sensor, a period of time during which each banknote is firstdetected by each sensor, and then an evaluation value is calculatedbased on each detection result of the banknote, and finally the banknoteis recognized based on the calculated evaluation value.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing each block produced in the detectionperformed for each banknote by a red-light line sensor.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a threshold-value table related to therecognition performed by the red-light line sensor about thedenomination of each banknote.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another threshold-value table relatedto the recognition performed by an infrared-light line sensor about theauthenticity of each banknote.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating still another threshold-value tablerelated to the recognition performed by a magnetic sensor about theauthenticity of each banknote.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating still another threshold-value tablerelated to the recognition performed by an optical sensor about theauthenticity of each banknote.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating still another threshold-value table,in one variation of this invention, related to the recognition performedby the infrared-light line sensor about the fitness of each banknote.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating still another threshold-value tablerelated to the recognition performed by a thickness detection sensorabout the fitness of each banknote.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the drawings. As will be described below, thisembodiment relates to the banknote handling machine provided with thebanknote recognition apparatus related to this invention. It should benoted that this embodiment is described herein by way of example only,and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of this invention.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, general construction of the banknotehandling machine provided with the banknote recognition apparatusrelated to this invention will be discussed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of thebanknote handling machine 1 related to this embodiment. As shown in FIG.1, the banknote handling machine 1 comprises a casing 92 of asubstantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a hopper 11, a firststacking unit (or first stacker) 3, a second stacking unit (or secondstacker) 4 and a reject unit 50.

FIG. 2 is a diagram which schematically shows the internal constructionof the banknote handling machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, and illustrates, inparticular, a transport system and a sensor system of the banknotehandling machine 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a transport unit 201 is providedin the casing 92 of the banknote handling machine 1. This transport unit201 is configured to transport the banknotes in the casing 92,successively, one by one.

Now, each component of the banknote handling machine 1 having theconstruction as described above will be discussed in detail.

The hopper 11 is configured such that the plurality of banknotes can beplaced thereon in a stacked condition by an operator. The banknotesstored in the hopper 11 are fed into the casing 92 of the banknotehandling machine 1, one by one, by a banknote feeding apparatus 10.

The banknote feeding apparatus 10 is composed of a feed roller 12adapted for feeding each banknote, a gate roller (or reverse rotationroller) 14 provided to be opposed to the feed roller 12 and configuredto form a gate part between the gate roller 14 and the feed roller 12,and kicker rollers 16, 18 respectively adapted for kicking each banknotestored in the hopper 11 toward the feed roller 12. Although the twokicker rollers 16, 18 are shown in the drawing, by way of example, whilebeing arranged in the lateral direction, the number and arrangementmanner of such kicker rollers are not limited to this aspect. Forinstance, only one kicker roller (e.g., the kicker roller 16) may beprovided in the banknote handling machine. Then, the banknotes taken inthe casing 92 by the banknote feeding apparatus 10 will be transportedby the transport unit 201.

The transport unit 201 includes an upper transport mechanism 202extending in a substantially horizontal direction, a lower transportmechanism 203 extending in the substantially horizontal direction belowthe upper transport mechanism 202, and an intermediate transportmechanism 204 provided between the upper transport mechanism 202 and thelower transport mechanism 203. As shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit201 composed of the respective transport mechanisms 202, 203, 204 has asubstantially U-like shape. With this configuration, the banknotesrespectively taken in the casing 92 by the banknote feeding apparatus 10are transported, successively, one by one, through the upper transportmechanism 202, intermediate transport mechanism 204 and lower transportmechanism 203, in this order. Each of the upper transport mechanism 202,intermediate transport mechanism 204 and lower transport mechanism 203is composed of a combination of belt transport mechanisms. In this case,each belt transport mechanism is composed of a pair of or three or morerollers and a belt (e.g., a rubber belt) provided over the rollers.

As shown in FIG. 2, a banknote recognition apparatus 220 adapted forrecognizing a type, such as a denomination, authenticity, fitness, newor old printed version or the like, of the banknote is provided with theupper transport mechanism 202 of the transport unit 201. Theconstruction of the banknote recognition apparatus 220 will be detailedlater.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, two stacking units 3, 4 are juxtaposed witheach other below the lower transport mechanism 203 of the transport unit201. Each stacking unit 3, 4 is configured to store therein thebanknotes respectively taken in the casing 92 and then recognized asnormal ones by the banknote recognition apparatus 220, in the stackedcondition, for example, for each denomination thereof. As shown in FIG.1, the banknotes stacked in each stacking unit 3, 4 can be optionallytaken out by the operator.

As shown in FIG. 2, two diverters 60, 62 are arranged, in series, alongthe lower transport mechanism 203. Each diverter 60, 62 has, forexample, a nail-like shape, and serves to divert a part of the banknotestransported along the lower transport mechanism 203, from this lowertransport mechanism 203 toward each diversion line 3 a, 4 a. Thediversion lines 3 a, 4 a are connected with the first and secondstacking units 3, 4, respectively. Thus, the banknotes diverted from thelower transport mechanism 203 by the diverters 60, 62 can be fed intothe first and second stacking units 3, 4, via the diversion lines 3 a, 4a, respectively.

At a downstream end of the lower transport mechanism 203, a releaseroller 54 adapted for stacking each banknote in the reject unit 50 andan opposite roller 56 arranged to be opposed to the release roller 54are provided. With this configuration, each banknote fed to thedownstream end of the lower transport mechanism 203 can be released froma gap between the release roller 54 and the opposite roller 56.Thereafter, each banknote released by the two rollers 54, 56 can bestacked, one on another, in the reject unit 50, by means of a rotaryrubber vane wheel 55 which is provided around the release roller 54 andadapted for beating the banknote. This configuration can facilitate thestacking operation for the rejected banknotes in the reject unit 50,because a rear edge of each banknote released from the gap between therelease roller 54 and the opposite roller 56 is beaten by the rotaryrubber vane wheel 55.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a stopper 52 is provided to thereject unit 50. This stopper 52 can serve to prevent each banknote,which has been released from the gap between the release roller 54 andthe opposite roller 56, from coming out from the reject unit 50 to theoutside of the casing 92. This stopper 52 can be rotated, by hand, in aclockwise direction in FIG. 2. Therefore, by rotating the stopper 52, byhand, in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2, the operator can optionallytake out the banknotes stored in the reject unit 50.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an operation unit 103 and a display unit105 are provided to the casing 92 of the banknote handling machine 1,respectively. The operation unit 103 includes input keys, each adaptedfor receiving instructions inputted by the operator. The display unit105 is composed of, for example, an LCD display, and serves to displayinformation of the banknotes stacked in each stacking unit 3, 4. Morespecifically, the display unit 105 can serve to display the informationabout at least one of the denomination, authenticity, fitness (i.e., fitor unfit banknote) and new or old printed version of each banknote to bestored in each stacking unit 3, 4, as well as the number of thebanknotes stored in each stacking unit 3, 4 and total amount of money ofthe banknotes already stored in the stacking units 3, 4.

Next, the sensor system of the banknote handling machine 1 will bedescribed. As shown in FIG. 2, a sensor 71 for detecting whether or notthe banknotes are stacked in the hopper 11 is provided to the banknotefeeding apparatus 10. Further, another sensor 72 is provided to an inletof the upper transport mechanism 202 of the transport unit 201. Thissensor 72 can serve to detect that the respective banknotes are securelytaken in the casing 92.

In addition, sensors 73, 74, 75 are arranged, in this order, along thelower transport mechanism 203 of the transport unit 201, respectively,while the diverters 60, 62 are located between the sensors 73, 74 andbetween the sensors 74, 75, respectively. The sensor 73 is located onthe upstream side relative to the diverter 60 and serves to detect allof the banknotes transported by the lower transport mechanism 203.Meanwhile, the sensor 74 is located on the downstream side relative tothe diverter 60 and serves to detect only the banknotes that are notdiverted toward the first stacking unit 3 by the diverter 60, among thebanknotes transported by the lower transport mechanism 203. The sensor75 is located on the downstream side relative to the diverter 62, andserves to detect only the banknotes that are not diverted toward thesecond stacking unit 4 by the diverter 62, among the banknotestransported by the lower transport mechanism 203.

Furthermore, sensors 76, 77 are provided to the diversion lines 3 a, 4a, respectively. These sensors 76, 77 can serve to detect the banknotesrespectively diverted from the lower transport mechanism 203 and fed tothe diversion lines 3 a, 4 a, respectively.

Additionally, sensors 78, 79 are provided to middle parts of the firstand second stacking units 3, 4, respectively. These sensors 78, 79 canserve to detect that the banknotes are stacked in each stacking unit 3,4, in an abnormal state, such as a standing state or the like,respectively. Furthermore, sensors 80, 81 are provided to lower parts ofthe first and second stacking units 3, 4, respectively. These sensors80, 81 can serve to detect whether or not the banknotes are stored inthe stacking units 3, 4, respectively. In addition, a sensor 82 isprovided to the reject unit 50. This sensor 82 can serve to detectwhether or not the banknotes are stored in the reject unit 50.

Now, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the construction of the banknoterecognition apparatus 220 will be detailed. FIG. 3 shows details of theconstruction of the banknote recognition apparatus 220 provided in thebanknote handling machine 1 shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a blockdiagram for illustrating each component of the banknote recognitionapparatus 220 shown in FIG. 3. In FIGS. 3( a), 3(b), each banknote isdesignated by reference character B.

FIG. 3( a) is a side view schematically showing the construction of thebanknote recognition apparatus 220, and FIG. 3( b) is a top view of thebanknote recognition apparatus 220. As shown in these drawings, thebanknote recognition apparatus 220 includes a line sensor 21, athickness detection sensor 22, a magnetic sensor 24 and an opticalsensor 26, respectively arranged in this order from the upstream side.The line sensor 21, as shown in the drawings, is provided as acombination of a reflection-type red-light line sensor 21 ac and atransparent-type infrared-light line sensor 21 bc, wherein an imagesensor 21 c is commonly used for the respective sensors 21 ac, 21 bc.Specifically, the reflection-type red-light line sensor 21 ac uses theimage sensor 21 c for receiving visible red light emitted from avisible-red-light source 21 a and then reflected by each banknote, whilethe transparent-type infrared-light line sensor 21 bc uses the imagesensor 21 c for receiving infrared light emitted from an infrared-lightsource 21 b and then transmitted through the banknote. In this case, thered light and infrared light are emitted from the respective lightsources, in a time sharing manner, respectively. Further, as shown inthe drawings, timing sensors 20, 28, for respectively detecting the timeof arrival of each banknote, are provided in left and right positions ofthe transport path in the banknote recognition apparatus 220. In placeof the visible red light emitted from the light source 21 a, blue light,green light and the like can also be selected, depending on the color ofink printed on each banknote.

As shown in FIG. 4, each sensor 21 ac, 21 bc, 24 and 26 is connectedwith an evaluation-value calculation unit 30, so that each detectionresult obtained by detection due to each sensor 21 ac, 21 bc, 24 and 26can be transmitted to the evaluation-value calculation unit 30. Thisevaluation-value calculation unit 30 is configured to calculate eachevaluation value of the banknote, by using oneevaluation-value-calculation-formula set, i.e., the combination of theplurality of predetermined evaluation-value calculation formulae, basedon the detection result of each sensor 21 ac, 21 bc, 24 and 26. Morespecifically, when one banknote is detected by, for example, thered-light line sensor 21 ac, the detection result will be transmitted tothe evaluation-value calculation unit 30. Then, from the detectionresult about this banknote, one evaluation value related to thered-light line sensor 21 ac is calculated by using a predeterminedcertain first evaluation-value calculation formula. Further, from thedetection result about the banknote that is obtained by theinfrared-light line sensor 21 bc, another evaluation value related tothe infrared-light line sensor 21 bc is calculated by using apredetermined certain second evaluation-value calculation formula.Similarly, based on the detection results about the same banknoterespectively obtained by the detection by the magnetic sensor 24 andoptical sensor 26, other evaluation values respectively related to themagnetic sensor 24 and optical sensor 26 are calculated, by usingpredetermined certain third and fourth evaluation-value calculationformulae. In this way, the respective evaluation values are calculatedin the evaluation-value calculation unit 30, based on the detectionresults obtained by the detection due to the respective sensors 21 ac,21 bc, 24 and 26. Namely, in this case, the aforementioned oneevaluation-value-calculation-formula set is provided as a combination ofthe first to fourth evaluation-value calculation formulae.

As shown in FIG. 4, a recognition unit 32 is connected with theevaluation-value calculation unit 30. Thus, the four kinds of evaluationvalues respectively calculated by the evaluation-value calculation unit30 can be transmitted to the recognition unit 32. This recognition unit32 can serve to recognize the type, such as the denomination,authenticity and like, of each banknote, based on the four kinds ofevaluation values respectively calculated by the evaluation-valuecalculation unit 30. It is noted that the method for recognizing thetype, such as the denomination, authenticity and the like, of eachbanknote will be discussed later.

Now, the construction of the banknote recognition apparatus 220 will bedescribed, as well as the method for calculating the evaluation valuewill be detailed.

As the timing sensor 20 located on the most upstream side in thebanknote recognition apparatus 220, timing sensors 20 a, 20 b areprovided, respectively, at right and left points along the transportdirection of each banknote. These timing sensors 20 a, 20 b canrespectively serve to detect the arrival of each banknote at thebanknote recognition apparatus 220. Meanwhile, as the timing sensor 28located on the most downstream side in the banknote recognitionapparatus 220, two timing sensors 28 a, 28 b are provided, respectively,at right and left points along the transport direction of each banknote.These timing sensors 28 a, 28 b can respectively serve to detect eachbanknote that is about to be fed out from the banknote recognitionapparatus 220. In the line sensor 21, as shown in FIG. 3, two red-lightLED arrays 21 a are provided, respectively, on the front and back sidesof the image sensor 21 c adapted for receiving the light, below andalong the transport path for the banknotes. These red-light arrays 21 aare respectively arranged to radiate the red light toward each banknotetransported by the transport unit 201. Meanwhile, one infrared-light LEDarray 21 b adapted for emitting the infrared light is provided above thetransport path for the banknotes, while being opposed to the imagesensor 21 c. More specifically, the image sensor 21 c includes lightreceiving elements arranged therein with a 0.25 mm pitch. With thisconfiguration, the detection result of the image sensor 21 c can be readout, with a 1.5 mm pitch of the transportation of each banknote, byusing a mechanical clock (not shown) capable of generating a pulse insynchronism with the transportation of the banknote. In this case, theoperations for emitting the light from the two kinds of light sourcesand those for reading the light emitted from the respective lightsources, are respectively performed in the time sharing manner. In thecase each banknote to be recognized is the dollar banknote having a 156mm width and a 66 mm length, the reading operation is theoreticallyperformed for 624 pixels (or picture elements) in the long-edgedirection of the banknote as well as performed for 44 lines in theshort-edge direction thereof, thereby reading 27,456 pixel data for eachlight source. Actually, however, in view of some positional shift ofeach banknote in the width direction of the transport path for thebanknote, some delay in the transportation and the like, the readingoperation should be performed over a wider range than that for obtainingthe above 27,456 pixel data.

Namely, each banknote may tend to be transported in a rather skewedstate, during the transportation thereof over the line sensor 21.Further, because the width of the transport path is designed to begreater than the width (length of the long-edge) of each banknote, thebanknote is likely to be shifted in position, individually, in thelateral direction. Thus, it is necessary to first obtain the skewedangle and central coordinates of each banknote, based on the detectedouter shape thereof, and then correct such skew and positional shift ofthe banknote, so as to be an image having no skew and certain positionalshift. JP2001-101473A discloses one approach for this correction. Itshould be noted that this patent document JP2001-101473A, and all otherpatent documents and references identified herein, are herebyincorporated herein by reference. More specifically, the image of eachbanknote produced by the red-light source is first read out by thered-light line sensor 21 ac, then the central coordinates are calculatedand the skew angle is determined, respectively, based on the informationabout the outer periphery or shape of the so-obtained banknote image.Thereafter, by utilizing these results, rotation and shift operations ofthe red-light image data and infrared-light image data stored in amemory, are performed, thereby eliminating a need for considering suchpositional shift and skewed angle of each banknote that will be furtherprocessed later.

Next, the denomination of each banknote is recognized by using thered-light image data. FIG. 6 shows each block produced by collecting apredetermined number of pixels. Namely, FIG. 6(A) shows one pixel, andFIG. 6(B) illustrates one block produced by collecting four pixels. Asshown in FIG. 6(B), each block is designated by Aij, wherein thecharacter i denotes each coordinate in the horizontal direction in thedrawing, while the character j denotes each coordinate in the verticaldirection in the same drawing. Further, one block value of the blockAij, i.e., the total value of the four pixels, is expressed herein byBij. In this case, each block and/or block value can be determinedexperimentally.

In the case the dollar banknotes are used as the banknotes to berecognized, each block is obtained to determine the denomination andtransport direction of each banknote, by considering the position of aportrait, the position of an edge of the portrait, the position of ajacket of portrait, the position of each character and the like,respectively printed on the front face of the banknote, as well as byconsidering a part of a building, another part depicting the sky, ablank part with no ink printed thereon and the like, respectivelyprinted or depicted in the back face of the banknote. Further, suitablecalculation formulae and threshold values, respectively required for thedetermination of the denomination and transport direction of eachbanknote, are prepared in advance.

For instance, a plurality of evaluation formulae, such as “anupper-limit value 1>B11+B34> a lower-limit value 1,” are prepared. Inthis expression, “B11+B34” designates one evaluation-value calculationformula, while the “upper-limit value 1” and “lower-limit value 1”denote the threshold values, respectively. While an addition expressionis used herein by way of example as the evaluation-value calculationformula, the evaluation formula may be expressed by any suitablecombination of the addition and subtraction, or otherwise may include atleast one of the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.Alternatively, this evaluation formula may include a differentialexpression. Further, rather than using the addition of the two blockvalues, the evaluation formula may be expressed by the addition of threeor more block values or by any suitable combination of these blockvalues. In reality, such block is selected to determine, moreeffectively and accurately, the denomination and transport direction ofeach banknote to be recognized. It should be noted that the plurality ofevaluation formulae are used herein. This is because only one evaluationformula can only determine a difference between certain denominations,but cannot well determine the difference between other certaindenominations. Namely, in some cases, there is a risk that differentdenominations may be evaluated, with the same evaluation value, due tothe use of such only one evaluation formula. Therefore, this embodimentis intended to determine such different denominations, more accurately,by using the plurality of evaluation formulae.

In the preparation of each evaluation formula, a certain combination ofthe block values that can be used for determining the denomination andtransport direction of each banknote to be recognized is first selectedfrom all of the combinations of the block values, and then the upperlimit value and lower limit value, respectively suitable for eachdenomination and each transport direction, are determined and providedto the so-selected certain combination of the block values. In this way,a certain evaluation formula, such as “the upper-limit value 1>B11+B34>the lower-limit value 1,” “the upper-limit value 2>B13+B45> thelower-limit value 2,” and the like, can be prepared.

As described above, for recognizing each banknote, the plurality ofevaluation formulae are usually required. The evaluation of theevaluation value obtained, such as by adding the block values, and thelike, can be performed by checking whether or not this evaluation valueis within a certain range of the threshold value determined between thecorresponding upper limit value and the corresponding lower limit value,after calculations of the evaluation values are performed for onebanknote. In this case, since the evaluation value is calculated by theblock value obtained by only scanning the red-light line sensor 21 acover each banknote to be recognized, such comparison and determinationprocess can be performed in a substantially short time. FIG. 7 shows oneexemplary threshold-value table related to the recognition of thedenomination of each banknote associated with the red-light line sensor21 ac about the denomination of each banknote.

Now, the determination about the authenticity of each banknote by usingthe infrared-light image data obtained by the infrared-light line sensor21 bc will be discussed. As is similar to the case of the red-light linesensor, the skewed angle and central coordinates of each banknote can berespectively obtained by the image data. Thus, the rotation and transferoperations of the image data are performed, respectively required forcorrecting such a skewed angle and positional shift relative to thereference infrared-light image data. The evaluation-value calculationformulae and evaluation values can be prepared in the same manner asthose prepared for the recognition of the denomination based on thered-light image data. Generally, however, the infrared light hasspectral absorption properties different from those of the visible lightcoming from the ink printed on each banknote. Therefore, such infraredlight is suitable, in particular, to be used for the determination onthe authenticity of each banknote.

FIG. 8 illustrates one exemplary threshold-value table related to therecognition performed by the infrared-light line sensor 21 bc about theauthenticity of each banknote. As shown in the drawing, the upper-limitvalues and lower-limit values are prepared in this table, respectively,for each denomination and each transport direction of the banknotes.

Next, the magnetic sensor 24 will be described. Specifically, as issimilar to the recognition about the authenticity associated with theinfrared-light line sensor 21 bc, a differentiated signal is outputtedfrom a magnetic head or magneto-resistive element of the magnetic sensor24, corresponding to the quantity of magnetism of magnetic ink printedon each banknote. Namely, in the recognition of the authenticity of eachbanknote associated with this magnetic sensor 24, each evaluation valueis obtained, as the total sum, over one sheet of each banknote, of ADconversion value from each voltage value obtained by integrating thedifferentiated signal or of AD conversion value from the pre-integratedvalue. Also in this case, each magnetic signal is read out, with aconstant interval, such as the 0.25 mm pitch, in synchronism with themechanical clock.

FIG. 9 shows one exemplary threshold-value table related to therecognition associated with the magnetic sensor 24 about theauthenticity of each banknote. As shown in this drawing, the upper-limitvalues and lower-limit values are prepared in this table, respectively,for each denomination and each positional shift of the banknotes. Inaddition to the denomination and positional shift, the threshold-valuetable may be prepared, further including the transport direction andskewed angle of each banknote. However, if the magnetic head of themagnetic sensor 24 is designed to have an adequately widened detectiongap or width, the skewed angle can be substantially neglected. Inaddition, by using the total sum of the respective AD-converted valuesas described above, the transport direction can also be omitted.However, in regard to the positional shift of each banknote, if thewidth crossing the transport path of a certain banknote to betransported through the transport unit 201 is considerably greater thanthe width of the dollar banknote and thus the positional shift of such acertain banknote may tend to unduly pass over the detection gap or widthof the magnetic head, it is preferred to prepare the threshold-valuetable corresponding to the positional shift.

Now, the optical sensor 26 will be discussed. For instance, this opticalsensor 26 is composed of light emission parts and light receiving parts,respectively arranged to be opposed to one another across the transportunit 201 for the banknotes. In this case, each light emission part canemit light (e.g., the visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet lightor the like) of a certain wavelength, while each light receiving partcan receive the light (e.g., the visible light, infrared light,ultraviolet light or the like) of the certain wavelength. However, thewavelength of the emitted light may not be necessarily the same as thewavelength of the received light. Namely, by detecting a certain part ofeach banknote (e.g., the whole surface of the banknote, the paperquality of the banknote, a part printed with ink, and the like) usingthe light emission parts and light receiving parts, the authenticity ofthe banknote can be determined. The optical sensor 26 has three sensorson the right side and three sensors on the left side, such that any oneof the light receiving parts can always scan the certain part of eachbanknote, even though the banknote passes through any point of thetransport path. Namely, the six sensors are positioned such that any oneof such sensors can always read a certain part of each banknote, eventhough the banknote is transported through any point relative to theleft-right direction of the transport path. In this case, the threesensors provided on the left side are respectively designated by L1, L2,L3, in this order, from the outside. Meanwhile, the three sensorsprovided on the right side are respectively designated by R1, R2, R3, inthis order, from the outside.

As is similar to the recognition about the authenticity by theinfrared-light line sensor 21 bc and magnetic sensor 24, the outputsignal of the optical sensors 26 is obtained, as the total sum, over theone sheet of each banknote, of each value obtained by subjecting theoutput voltage, which corresponds to the amount of the light transmittedthrough the banknote and then received by each light receiving part, andAD converted, at a constant interval, such as 0.5 mm pitch. In thiscase, a distal end part and a rear end part of each banknote arerespectively excluded from the recognition operation. Further, theposition of each sensor 26 is determined in advance to read out thecertain part of each banknote, corresponding to any positional shift ofthe banknote. Thus, the positional-shift information about each banknotegiven from the red-light line sensor 21 ac can determine which of sensor26 should be used for reading the certain part of the banknote. In thisway, the recognition about the authenticity of each banknote can beperformed, by using each threshold-value table prepared for thedenomination and transport direction of each banknote. FIG. 10 shows anexemplary threshold-value table related to the recognition performed bythe optical sensor 26 about the authenticity of each banknote. In thisembodiment, although the positional shift of each banknote is discussedin regard to a left position, a central position and a right position ofthe banknote, such positions can be divided more finely, with morefinely divided information read by the red-light line sensor 21 ac.Therefore, many threshold values for the respective evaluation valuescan be prepared.

Next, the operation of the banknote handling machine 1 constructed asdescribed above will be discussed.

First, a batch of the banknotes is stored in the hopper 11. Then, thebanknotes stored in the hopper 11 are taken in the banknote handlingmachine 1 by the banknote feeding apparatus 10. Thereafter, thebanknotes taken in the banknote handling machine 1 are transported bythe transport unit 201 to the banknote recognition apparatus 220.

In the banknote recognition apparatus 220, as shown in FIG. 3, eachbanknote is detected successively by the red-light line sensor 21 ac,infrared-light line sensor 21 bc, magnetic sensor 24 and optical sensor26.

More specifically, the detection is performed based on the timing chartas shown in FIG. 5. Namely, a recognition result about the denominationand transport direction of each banknote is first outputted from thered-light line sensor 21 ac. Meanwhile, from the infrared-light linesensor 21 bc, information about a candidate of denomination andtransport direction of a genuine banknote is outputted. In addition,further information about the candidate of the correct denomination ofthe banknote is outputted from the magnetic sensor 24. As it isempirically known, it is rather difficult, for a magnetic sensor 24located to take a substantially central position of each transportedbanknote, to recognize finely denomination of the banknote, and aplurality of candidates on the denomination are usually obtained.

Information about the candidate of the denomination and transportdirection of a genuine banknote can be obtained from the optical sensor26. However, since this optical sensor 26 utilizes the light transmittedthrough each banknote, it is rather difficult to determine the face/backof the banknote. Additionally, a quite similar design printed on eachbanknote, for expressing the denomination thereof, often makes itnecessary to obtain so many candidates.

In the overall recognition about the denomination, transport directionand authenticity of each banknote, the authenticity for the denominationdetermined by the red-light line sensor 21 ac is recognized inaccordance with the result whether or not the candidates of thedenomination and transport direction of the banknote respectivelyrecognized to be genuine by the respective sensors 21 bc, 24, 26 includethe denomination and transport direction determined by the red-lightline sensor 21 ac, when all of the recognition results are collectedfrom the respective sensors 21 ac, 21 bc, 24, 26. For instance, if thered-light line sensor 21 ac outputs the information that the banknote isidentified as a 10 dollar banknote and transport direction A, while thecandidates respectively recognized to be correct and outputted by therespective sensors 21 bc, 24, 26 include the candidate corresponding tothe 10 dollar and transport direction A, the overall recognition resultwill be outputted, showing that the banknote has been recognized as agenuine 10 dollar banknote transported in the transport direction A.Meanwhile, if the candidates outputted from the respective sensors 21bc, 24, 26 do not include such a candidate as outputted from thered-light line sensor 21 ac, this banknote is recognized as acounterfeit 10 dollar banknote in the transport direction A.

In the final recognition about the denomination and authenticity of eachbanknote, each recognition result about the denomination and transportdirection of the banknote obtained by each sensor 21 ac, 21 bc, 24, 26is subjected to a logical AND operation. As a result, when each sensor21 bc, 24, 26 judges that the banknote recognized by the red-light linesensor 21 ac is genuine in regard to the denomination and transportdirection thereof, the final recognition result will be outputted,showing that the denomination of the banknote is genuine. Meanwhile, ifa flag showing that the denomination recognized by the red-light linesensor 21 ac is true is not set by any one of the sensors 21 bc, 24, 26,the final recognition result showing that the banknote recognized by thered-light line sensor 21 ac is the counterfeit banknote in regard to thedenomination will be outputted to, for example, the display unit 105 oranother host machine.

Now, referring to the timing chart of FIG. 5, the operation that eachsensor 21 ac, 21 bc, 24, 26 detects each banknote and then thedenomination and authenticity thereof is recognized, will be discussed.FIG. 5 illustrates, in the time series for each sensor 21 ac, 21 bc, 24,26, the period of time during which each banknote is first detected byeach sensor 21 ac, 21 bc, 24, 26, respectively provided in the banknoterecognition apparatus 220 shown in FIG. 3, and then each evaluationvalue is calculated based on each detection result about the banknote,and finally the banknote is recognized based on the calculatedevaluation value.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 21 at denotes a period of time during whichone banknote is first detected by the red-light line sensor 21 ac andfinally the denomination of the banknote is recognized by the red light.In this case, reference numeral 21 as designates the time at which thedetection of the banknote by the red-light line sensor 21 ac is started,while reference numeral 21 ae designates the time at which therecognition about the denomination of the banknote is ended. Similarly,reference numeral 21 bt denotes a period of time during which onebanknote is first detected by the infrared-light line sensor 21 bc andfinally the denomination and authenticity of this banknote arerespectively recognized. In this case, reference numeral 21 bsdesignates the time at which the detection of the banknote by theinfrared-light line sensor 21 bc is started, while reference numeral 21be designates the time at which the recognition about the denominationand authenticity of the banknote is ended. Reference numeral 24 tdenotes a period of time during which one banknote is first detected bythe magnetic sensor 24 and then the denomination and authenticity of thebanknote are respectively recognized. Reference numeral 26 t denotes aperiod of time during which one banknote is first detected by theoptical sensor 26 and then denomination and authenticity of thisbanknote are respectively recognized. In this case, reference numerals24 s, 26 s respectively designate the time at which the detection of therespective banknotes due to the magnetic sensor 24 and optical sensor 26is started, while reference numerals 24 e, 26 e respectively designatethe time at which the recognition about the denomination andauthenticity of the respective banknotes is ended. In addition,reference numeral 32 s designates the time at which the recognition,about whether or not the denomination and transport direction of thebanknote respectively determined by the red-light line sensor 21 ac isincluded in the candidates of the denomination and transport directionof the banknote respectively recognized to be genuine by the respectivesensors 21 bc, 24, 26, is started, when all of the recognition resultsof the respective sensors 21 ac, 21 bc, 24, 26 are collected. Meanwhile,reference numeral 32 e designates the time at which the recognitionstarted at the time 32 s is ended.

As shown in FIG. 5, the period of time 21 at during which one banknoteis first detected by the red-light line sensor 21 ac and thedenomination of this banknote is recognized by the same sensor 21 ac isset longer than each of the periods of time 21 bt, 24 t, 26 t, duringwhich the banknote is first detected by the respective sensors 21 bc,24, 26 and finally the denomination and authenticity of the banknote isrecognized by the same sensors 21 bc, 24, 26. However, as shown in FIG.5, the recognition operation for the first type (i.e., the denomination)of each banknote and the recognition operation for the second type(e.g., the authenticity) can be performed simultaneously. Therefore, thetime required for the mathematical operation for recognizing both of thedenomination and authenticity of each banknote can be substantiallyreduced.

As stated above, according to the banknote handling machine 1 of thisembodiment, each banknote to be recognized is first detected by therespective sensors 21 ac, 21 bc, 24, 26, and then the respectiveevaluation values for the banknote are calculated by using thepredetermined one evaluation-value-calculation-formula set (i.e., thecombination of the first to fourth evaluation-value calculationformulae), based on the detection results obtained by the respectivesensors 21 ac, 21 bc, 24, 26, and finally the respective types, such asthe denomination, authenticity and the like, of the banknote arerecognized by using the plurality of predetermined threshold-values (seethe tables respectively shown in FIGS. 7 through 10) respectivelycorresponding to the types, such as the denomination, authenticity andthe like, of the banknote, based on the respective evaluation valuescalculated for the banknote. Accordingly, as compared with theconventional case in which the respective evaluation values of eachbanknote should be calculated, each time, by using all of theevaluation-value calculation formulae respectively corresponding to eachdenomination and the like, of the banknote, the banknote recognitionapparatus of this embodiment prepares, in advance, oneevaluation-value-calculation-formula set that can commonly accommodateover the mathematical operations for calculating such a plurality ofevaluation values. Therefore, in this embodiment, the calculationnecessary for the recognition about the respective types, such as thedenomination, authenticity and the like, of each banknote has to beperformed, only once, thereby significantly reducing the time requiredfor the recognition. Additionally, in this embodiment, the recognitionabout the respective types, such as the denomination, authenticity andthe like, of each banknote is performed by using the plurality ofthreshold values respectively set, in advance, corresponding to suchtypes. Thus, as compared with the conventional case in which only onethreshold value is provided for the evaluation on such types,irrespectively of the difference in the denomination and the likebetween banknotes, the banknote recognition apparatus of this embodimentcan securely enhance the accuracy of the recognition about the types,such as the denomination, authenticity and the like, of each banknote.

It is noted that the banknote recognition apparatus and banknoterecognition method of the present invention are not limited to eachaspect as described above, but may be modified or altered withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention.

Namely, the above aspect has been described about the case in which thebanknote recognition apparatus 220 is used for recognizing both of thedenomination and authenticity. However, the present invention is notlimited to this case. For instance, the banknote recognition apparatus220 may recognize only the denomination of each banknote, or otherwisemay recognize only the authenticity of the banknote. Also in such acase, each banknote is detected by a part or all of the sensors 21 ac,21 bc, 24, 26 of the banknote recognition apparatus 220, so that theevaluation values related to such a part or all of the sensors 21 ac, 21bc, 24, 26 can be calculated by the evaluation-value calculation unit30, based on each detection result. Then, at the recognition unit 32,the denomination or authenticity of the banknote will be recognized, byusing the plurality of predetermined threshold values respectivelycorresponding to the denomination of the banknote or by using theplurality of predetermined threshold values respectively correspondingto the authenticity of the banknote. Thus, in view of a part or all ofthe recognition results respectively corresponding to the detectionresults of the sensors 21 ac, 21 bc, 24, 26, the final recognition willbe performed about the denomination or authenticity of the banknote.

The banknote recognition apparatus 220 may also recognize the fitness ornew or old printed version (e.g., the year in which the dollar banknotewas issued), other than the denomination, transport direction andauthenticity of each banknote. Alternatively, the banknote recognitionapparatus 220 may recognize the denomination of each banknote, whilerecognizing the fitness or new or old printed version of the banknote.

Now, by way of example, one aspect of the banknote recognition apparatus220, which recognizes the denomination of each banknote, whilerecognizing the fitness of the banknote, will be described.

In this case, the fitness of each banknote can be recognized, withprovision of a proper means adapted for detecting the amount oftransmitted light, corresponding to the infrared-light LED source of theinfrared-light line sensor 21 bc. This means can exhibit such propertiesthat the amount of the output will be increased when the detectedbanknote is relatively new, while being decreased when the detectedbanknote becomes relatively old, because of absorption of thetransmitted light due to dirt or the like present on such an oldbanknote. Namely, by utilizing such properties, the fitness of eachbanknote can be recognized, by setting classification of the transmittedlight amount into several evaluation levels.

The fitness of each banknote can be recognized, based on each blockvalue Bij (wherein i designates each channel number, while j designateseach number of the order from the forefront block), as set forth in theabove description about the infrared-light line sensor 21 bc. For therecognition of the fitness of each banknote, the blank part with no inkprinted thereon is generally utilized. Thus, for each of the fourdirections of each banknote, each block to be recognized is selected ina place where the blank part is present. FIG. 11 shows one exemplarythreshold-value table related to the recognition about the fitnessperformed by the infrared-light sensor 21 bc.

Now, the thickness detection sensor 22, for use in one variation, willbe described. This thickness detection sensor 22 has two shaftsrespectively arranged in parallel with each other (wherein a first shaftis located below the transport path for the banknotes, while a secondshaft is located above the transport path), with a pulley attached toeach end thereof. To the first shaft, a reference roller having a usualconstruction is attached. To the second shaft, a detection roller isprovided, while being arranged above and axially parallel with thereference roller.

A connection member composed of a support rubber is fitted between thesecond shaft and a cylindrical member constituting the detection roller.Namely, the cylindrical member is attached to the second shaft via theconnection member. Thus, the detection roller can be pressed against thecorresponding reference roller, with the outer circumferential faces ofthe two rollers usually brought into contact with each other.

A detection piece for detecting a transfer amount of the detectionroller is provided to a top face of the detection roller. A magneticsensor for detecting the movement of the detection piece is locatedabove the detection piece. In this case, the detection roller is biaseddownward by a spring. The magnetic sensor can output some voltage inproportion to the transfer amount of the detection roller. In a periodof waiting time, the detection roller is in contact with the referenceroller, and the output of the magnetic sensor in this waiting time ismemorized, as a reference value.

When one normal banknote is advanced between the upper and lowerrollers, the detection roller is raised upward, corresponding to thethickness of the banknote. Thereafter, the magnetic sensor reads such araised amount of the detection roller, and then outputs a signalcorresponding to the transfer amount. If two overlapped banknotes areadvanced together between the rollers, the detection roller will beraised, corresponding to the thickness of the two banknotes. Thus, themagnetic sensor will read this raised amount, and then output the signalcorresponding to the transfer amount.

If one banknote having a tape attached thereto is inserted between therollers, the detection roller is raised, corresponding to the thicknessof the one banknote, when a part of the banknote having no tape attachedthereto is advanced between the rollers. When a part of this banknotehaving the tape attached thereto is advanced between the rollers, thedetection roller will be further raised, by the thickness of the tape.

Using above mentioned mechanical configuration, each thickness data, asthe output signal, will be obtained over the one sheet of each banknote.By utilizing the mechanical clock, with a predetermined pitch (e.g., foreach 2 mm advancement of the banknote), each voltage value is subjectedto the AD conversion and then stored in the memory, as a zone value Zi,over the one sheet of each banknote.

As the evaluation values, for example, a first evaluation formula, i.e.,the total sum of the zone values ΣZi (i=1˜33) corresponding to theshort-edge length of each banknote; a second evaluation formula, i.e.,the total sum of the zone values, with the number of zones Zi exceeding150; and a third evaluation formula, i.e., the total sum of the zonevalues, with the number of zones Zi exceeding 200; and the like can bementioned.

When the banknotes of various countries are recognized, the length ofeach banknote should vary in accordance with the denomination of thebanknote. Therefore, the number of the zones to be read by therecognition unit should also vary with the denomination of eachbanknote. Further, since the thickness of each banknote should vary inaccordance with the denomination of the banknote, the threshold valuesfor evaluating the thickness should also vary with the denomination ofeach banknote.

Because the dollar banknotes respectively have the same thickness overall of the denominations thereof, the thickness detection sensor 22cannot be used for recognizing the denomination or authenticity of suchbanknotes. However, this thickness detection sensor 22 can detect afolded part of each banknote, two or more overlapped banknotes, eachbanknote having the tape attached thereto or the like between the upperand lower rollers. In this case, it is not necessary to provide thethreshold value for each denomination. Namely, by determining if thebanknotes are unfit or overlapped, such banknotes can be determined asunrecognizable banknotes.

Further, if some banknotes are determined as the unrecognizablebanknotes, such banknotes will be finally transported and stored in thereject unit 50. FIG. 12 shows one exemplary threshold-value tablerelated to the recognition performed by the thickness detection sensor22 about the fitness of each banknote.

In addition, the detection unit of the banknote recognition apparatus220 is not limited to the red-light line sensor 21 ac, infrared-lightline sensor 21 bc, magnetic sensor 24, optical sensor 26 and thicknessdetection sensor 22. For instance, the detection unit may include amechanism for detecting the size of each banknote (in this case, thelength in the short-edge direction and/or in the long-edge directionshould vary with each denomination). In this case, the evaluation-valuecalculation unit 30 can calculate the evaluation value related to thesize of each banknote, by using particular evaluation-value-calculationformulae.

1.-3. (canceled)
 4. A banknote recognition apparatus for recognizing adenomination and an attribute of a banknote, the banknote recognitionapparatus comprising: a detection unit configured to detect the banknoteto be recognized; an evaluation-value calculation unit configured tocalculate each evaluation value of the banknote, by using oneevaluation-value-calculation-formula set composed of a combination of aplurality of predetermined evaluation-value calculation formulae, basedon a detection result obtained by the detection unit; and a recognitionunit for recognizing the denomination of the banknote to be recognized,by using one set of predetermined threshold values for each denominationof banknote to be handled, respectively corresponding to the pluralityof evaluation-value calculation formulae, as well as configured torecognize the attribute of the banknote to be recognized, by usinganother set of predetermined threshold values for each denomination ofbanknote to be handled, respectively corresponding to the plurality ofevaluation-value calculation formulae, based on each evaluation value ofthe banknote calculated by the evaluation-value calculation unit;wherein the recognition unit performs recognizing the denomination ofthe banknote and recognizing the attribute of the banknote, regardlessof the recognized denomination of the banknote in parallel.
 5. Thebanknote recognition apparatus according to claim 4, wherein theattribute of the banknote includes at least one of the authenticity ofthe banknote, fitness of the banknote and new or old printed version ofthe banknote.
 6. The banknote recognition apparatus according to claim4, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect at least one ofthe thickness, size, optical transparency, optical reflectivity andmagnetic data of the banknote, and wherein the evaluation-valuecalculation unit is configured to calculate the evaluation value relatedto at least one of the thickness, size, optical transparency, opticalreflectivity and magnetic data of the banknote.
 7. The banknoterecognition apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recognition unitevaluates the attribute of the banknote for each of the multipledenominations of banknote to be handled. 8.-10. (canceled)
 11. Abanknote recognition method for recognizing a denomination and anattribute of a banknote, the method comprising: preparing oneevaluation-value-calculation-formula set composed of a combination of aplurality of evaluation-value-calculation formulae, as well as preparingone set of threshold values for each denomination of banknote to behandled, respectively corresponding to the plurality of evaluation-valuecalculation formulae, and another set of threshold values for eachattribute of banknote to be handled, respectively corresponding to theplurality of evaluation-value calculation formulae; detecting thebanknote to be recognized; calculating each evaluation value of thebanknote, by using the prepared one evaluation-value-calculation-formulaset, based on a detection result of the banknote; recognizing thedenomination of the banknote to be recognized, by using the thresholdvalues prepared for each denomination of banknote, respectivelycorresponding to the plurality of evaluation-value-calculation formulae,based on each evaluation value of the banknote; and recognizing theattribute of the banknote to be recognized, by using the thresholdvalues prepared for each denomination of banknote to be handled,respectively corresponding to the plurality ofevaluation-value-calculation formulae, based on each evaluation value ofthe banknote; wherein recognizing the denomination of the banknote andrecognizing the attribute of the banknote are performed in parallel. 12.The banknote recognition method according to claim 11, wherein theattribute of the banknote includes at least one of the authenticity ofthe banknote, fitness of the banknote and new or old printed version ofthe banknote.
 13. The banknote recognition method according to claim 11,wherein at least one of the thickness, size, optical transparency,optical reflectivity and magnetic data of the banknote is detectedduring the detection of the banknote to be recognized, and wherein theevaluation value related to at least one of the thickness, size, opticaltransparency, optical reflectivity and magnetic data of the banknote iscalculated during the calculation of the evaluation value of thebanknote.
 14. The banknote recognition method according to claim 11,wherein the attribute of the banknote is evaluated for each of themultiple denominations of banknote to be handled.
 15. The banknoterecognition apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the finalrecognition on the denomination and attribute of the banknote isobtained by performing a logical AND operation of the recognizeddenomination and the recognized attribute for each denomination.
 16. Thebanknote recognition method according to claim 14, wherein the finalrecognition on the denomination and attribute of the banknote isobtained by performing a logical AND operation of the recognizeddenomination and the recognized attribute for each denomination.